Mary Poppins Wasn't Perfect

One year ago today, I started a new journal. I wrote the following: I just returned from a weekend at home with mom and dad in Paris...I REALLY didn't want to start this journal until I could start it off knowing exactly where I was moving to. But, no. It didn't happen that way. So yeah- in 5 weeks- I will be moving. To the East or West. To Arizona or South Carolina. Um. Little did I know what would REALLY happen. It wouldn't be until 2 weeks later that my friend Grace would call me with a job opportunity I couldn't resist. Even if it did mean moving to Tallahassee, Florida where I knew no one. And I would get an official job offer 3 1/2 weeks later. And then 3 weeks later I'd pack my bags and move. Here I am, a year later, in Tallahassee, Florida with another big decision to be made. I signed a year lease at the apartment complex here in Tally. My year lease ends soon. I have to let them know today what my future plans are. And I thought I should l...

Many of you know for the past three years I've been sending out a morning text containing a 'verse of the day.' This morning was no different. I read, and the particular passage I was in today didn't really have a verse that I would constitute being one of those 'encouraging' type verses. (see James 5:1-6 and you will understand why) As I was finishing up I sat back in  my couch and sighed. One of those deep, 'who-knew-I-had-so-much-breath-in-me' type sighs. I just said aloud "What verse should I send today?" Now, this isn't the way it happens most mornings. Normally a verse will jump off the page while I'm reading. Or there will be a quickening inside my heart. (I know it's kooky(sp?) to some people to write about how the Lord speaks to me- but for the sake of today's post- just know- He speaks in all different ways. But bottom line....He speaks.) So today, I just asked. What verse should I send. Immediately, a ver...

Lessons learned at the lake: -Everyone needs to feel the wind in their hair at some point. Get on the speedboat and face the wind. -You can still use sunscreen AND get a tan. Use it. -Jazz always sounds better when sitting on the deck at the lake. -Disconnecting is a GOOD thing. Even if it's forced (aka- bad internet service) -If you feel as though there is an ant crawling on you- chances are- there is. -An afternoon rain shower every day is a great excuse to get inside and work on that 2000 piece puzzle. -Family is forever. Make sure time with them counts. -If life is stressful: grab a drink, grab a float, and float it out.

I type this while watching the sunset over Lake Lure as I’ve done every summer for the past 8 summers. The view is different every single time. It’s never the same. I have to resist posting tons of pictures as the landscape is the same. But the sunset. Every single night. It’s different. My aunt and uncle purchased a lake house on Lake Lure 9 summers ago and it’s been my ‘place’ the past 8 summers. The place I can get away, be quiet, and rest. While we had a great time being together, all the family left yesterday morning and I’m staying for a couple more days. The lake house to myself. It’s been a beautiful thing. Grateful  to know the sun will rise each morning. This time last year, I was in a difficult place. I had NO idea what the next year would hold. I didn’t know where I’d be living or where I would be working. My roommate was set to be married, I knew change was coming. The only thing I DID know was that God is faithful. Seriously. That was the ONLY th...

30 years ago, Tony and Kathy Corso became 'mom and dad' for the first time. The firstborn had arrived. Not only was she the firstborn, but she was the first grandchild....on BOTH sides of the family. That's a big role to fill. There is no person better suited to fit this role than Lisa. She walks with grace, she acts and speaks with integrity, she is brilliant. She carries the responsibility of a firstborn with much purpose. Happy Birthday to the best older sister a girl could ask for. Thanks for being an example, for leading the way. I hope that you feel celebrated today...That you feel honored. I'm rooting for you, Lisa. Love you so much.

2 more weeks til THIS:  and this: and this: and this: 

My apartment complex has a really nice pool. Let me back up. My apartment complex is really nice. It's quiet. It's quaint. It's cute. I like it. The pool is pretty. The pool is CLEAN. And the pool is empty most days. Today I went out and noticed there was a mom with 2 small kids out at the pool. The mom was sitting in the shade and her 2 kids were playing in the water. As I put my stuff down and got ready to lay back, I heard one of the kids singing "Here's where she meets Prince Charming....but she won't discover that it's him til Chapter Threeeeee" in THE sweetest kid voice, ever.  I looked up, saw that it was the little boy. I said "Do you like Beauty and the Beast?! That's one of my favorite movies!" His older sister said "I love that movie!" while the little brother responded "No! No beauty and the beast. I just like the song." I lay down and after 20 minutes, I needed to get in the water. It's seri...